If you or someone you care for has seizures, treatment aims to stop or reduce them while keeping side effects low. Most people get seizure control with one anti-seizure medication, but the right plan depends on the seizure type, age, other health problems, and lifestyle.
First, your doctor will identify the seizure type and epilepsy syndrome using history, witness reports, EEG and brain imaging. For focal seizures doctors often start carbamazepine, lamotrigine, or levetiracetam. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures are commonly treated with valproate, levetiracetam, or lamotrigine. Women of childbearing age avoid valproate when possible because of birth defect risks; lamotrigine and levetiracetam are preferred alternatives. Doses are adjusted slowly until seizures stop or side effects limit treatment.
Side effects differ between drugs: some cause sleepiness, weight change, mood shifts, or skin reactions. Many anti-seizure drugs interact with other medicines and hormonal birth control. Regular follow-up, blood tests, and sometimes drug-level checks help keep treatment safe and effective.
About one third of people have drug-resistant epilepsy. If seizures continue after trying two appropriate medications, ask for a referral to an epilepsy center. Options there include epilepsy surgery to remove a clear seizure focus, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), responsive neurostimulation (RNS), or deep brain stimulation (DBS). The ketogenic or modified Atkins diet can reduce seizures in children and some adults. Each option has trade-offs that specialists will explain.
Beyond treatments, simple steps matter: keep to a regular sleep pattern, avoid excessive alcohol and recreational drugs, manage stress, and take medication exactly as prescribed. Wear a medical ID if you have ongoing seizures and make your home safer—avoid unsupervised swimming and consider showering rather than bathing until seizures are controlled.
Know when to get emergency help. A seizure lasting more than five minutes or repeated seizures without recovery (status epilepticus) is a medical emergency—call emergency services. Also seek urgent care after the first seizure, after a big change in seizure pattern, or if recovery between seizures is incomplete.
Pregnancy and epilepsy need planning. Most people with epilepsy have safe pregnancies but require preconception counseling, medication review, and folic acid from before conception. Regular prenatal care and coordination between your neurologist and obstetrician reduce risks.
Finally, build a support network. Epilepsy affects work, driving, and emotional health. Epileptologists, nurses, therapists, and local support groups can help you navigate practical rules and keep life moving. If you need reliable resources or a referral, ask your primary doctor for an epilepsy clinic near you.
Seizure first aid: if someone has a convulsive seizure, time it, protect their head, turn them on their side after convulsions, loosen tight clothing, and call for help if it lasts over five minutes or if breathing is slow afterward. Don’t hold them down or put objects in their mouth. Keep a seizure diary with triggers, duration and meds — that simple record helps doctors adjust treatment faster. Ask about driving rules in your area; many places require seizure-free periods before driving again.
May, 29 2025
Dilantin, known also as phenytoin, is a key medication used to control seizures, especially in epilepsy. This article breaks down how it works, tips for safe use, side effects you should watch for, and surprising facts about its long history. We’ll talk about what makes Dilantin stand out and how it’s guided epilepsy treatment for decades. If you or a loved one needs to take this medication, you’ll find the essential info here.